STONY BROOK, N.Y. (June 1, 2011) - After an outstanding performance at the 2011 Women's Division National Tournament last weekend in Stony Brook, N.Y., former William and Mary lacrosse standout Grace Golden earned the Aimee Willard Award, which is presented to the event's top collegiate player. The event serves as the first round of tryouts for the 2011-12 U.S. women's national team.

An All-America selection by three organizations in 2011, Golden posted the best season of her collegiate career this spring. The first-team all-region honoree was chosen as the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year and became just the third player in league history to earn first-team all-conference distinction four times.

A Tewaarton Award nominee, the Manhasset, N.Y., native led the conference in goals per game (3.2), points per game (3.9), draw controls per game (3.1), caused turnovers per game (2.7) and game-winning goals (5), while she also ranked among the top 10 in ground balls per game. Additionally, her caused turnovers average ranked second nationally, while her goals average ranked 14th.

En route to achieving the lofty rankings, Golden broke the program's single-season caused turnovers record (45) and equaled the draw controls single-season mark of 52 established by classmate Molly Wannen last spring. Golden finished the regular season with 12 hat tricks and was honored as the CAA Player of the Week twice (2/28, 4/18). One of her best efforts came in the win against Richmond when she equaled a single-game school record with eight goals (on nine shots) with an assist.  

Golden owns W&M's school record for career draw controls (153), while she ranks second in career points (231) and goals (187). Additionally, she ranks among the program's all-time top 10 in assists, ground balls and caused turnovers.